Side effects of stopping the birth control pill...depression?

I am really relieved to have found this site and the information contained within it. I was forced to stop the pill for a short period time due to health insurance issues. I had to find a new ob/gyn and by the time I was bale to get an appointment and exam, I had finished my old pack of pills. Now I can not start a new pack, which is also a new brand for me until next week. I had been using othro-novum for the past 12 years and my new ob/gyn has prescribed Yaz. She said it is a lower-dose medication and that since I am 40 years old, it would be better for me.

I have to wait until the first day of my next period to start the new pack and I am not feeling well at all. My fingers are swollen, I am hungry all the time, but more importantly I am cramping like crazy, very nauseated and tired each and every day. These symptoms have progressed over the past week. I feel very sick. Yet I am gaining weight. The only thing I can attribute these symptoms to is stopping the pill. I have been off for a total of 3 weeks. I have had protected intercousre during this time, but I feel like I did when I was last pregnant. Today's pregnancy test proved negative.

So hearing that I am not alone with my symptoms is a relief.

I would like to know if anyone has felt better after 2-3 months from coming off the pill and what did you take?

Julie

I totally feel the same way.....what have you found to help you out? Julie  

Dear All
I just want to share my experience I suspended the patch ( Ortho evra) three months ago, and I am suffering a severe depression, the patch also delivers much more estrogen than the pill, and I think there is a link with the severity of my depression and the estrogen deprivation, since I was on the patch I had breaktrough bleeding, mood changes, nausea, low libido,swollen legs on planes and circulatory problems, worsen my migraine, breast tenderness, weight gain that didn't come off with exercise and healthy diet, and currently high blood pressure and heart problems.
So beware or Ortho Evra it will ruin your life, health and relationship.

I just want to say that I really could not pin point why I was feeling the way I did. I was planning a wedding and couldnt have been happier, then because of my severe acne I decided to stop taking the pill a few monhts ago b/c I had been on it for 9 years and decided to give my body a break and see if my acne would get better. My acne got significantly better, but my mood is bad. I am usually depressed and/or panicky. The slightest thing will cause a panic, I feel disconnected from everyone, I'm worried about everything I do and constantly questioning everything in my head. I thought it was all because I was afraid to get married so I postponed the wedding, but now I'm more convinced that coming off the pill has caused these mood changes. I set up an appointment with a therapist this week and I will update you all on what comes out of it. I'm extremely hesistant to take anti-depressants since this all started with me wanting to give my body a break, so we'll see. I'm so glad I found this post though because I really do not feel so alone.

I'm so glad I found this blog! I don't feel crazy anymore! I was on birth control for about 10 years and just recently stopped taking it because of
all the side effects it causes. Being on the pill also made me feel tired all the time. Since coming off of birth control I have had severe panick attacks, I feel anxious all the time, and nervous. I notice my symptoms are much worse when I'm large crowds of people, and I feel as though I actually make myself have these attacks. It has been a little over a month since I've stopped taking the pill, and I've noticed my symptoms are much worse right after my period. I'm wondering if someone could give me feedback on anxiety medication, or herbal remedies. I'm willing to try anything at this point. It has completely taken over my once normal life. Thanks for listening.

Shelbylynn,

I can relate to what your going through since coming of the birth control pill. I was also on the pill for 10 years and stop taking it in May. The first three weeks I felt fine but towards the end of May I started suffering from anxiety and nervousness along with other symptoms such as dizziness/lightheaded. I went to my doctor and they ran bloodwork and diagnostic tests and found nothing wrong with me. I then decided to go to my OBGYN and she told me that I might have a hormone imbalance from coming of the pill, so she referred me to an endocrinologist. It took to long for me to get in to see this endocrinologist that I decided to see another doctor a friend referred me to who specializes in hormones. He ran some more detail blood work and it revealed my thyroid levels were low, my testostorone levels were also low, and my estrogen levels were high (which is where my anxiety was coming from). He prescribed me some compunded medications and recommended that I take 5HTP for the anxiety. I have been off the pill for 3 months now and I am starting to feel back to normal. I still have moments of feeling off balance but I don't wake up with severe anxiety anymore. You are not alone, there are a lot of women out there who suffer from a hormone imbalance and doctors make us feel like we are crazy because it's easier to prescribe an anti-depressant that really figure out what is wrong with us. Go to a health food store and ask about the 5HTP and also ask about VITEX, I have heard that it helps you balance your hormones. Most important is give your body time to re-adjust from coming off the pill. I know it sounds hard but trust me, you will start feeling better. If you have other questions, please feel free to e-mail me at _[removed]_. I hope I have helped you at least a bit.

Hi. I stopped taking Birth Contol about 3 1/2 months ago. I still havent had my period. I was on the pill for about 10 years. My husband & I are trying to get pregnant, but obv. can't! Is this normal?

As I've been struggling with birth control pill related depression, anxiety, migraines, acne, inability to lose weight, etc. I wish I had more answers--I've been on a dozen different pills in as many months, and nothing has worked well. I was on BCP for 12 years before realizing the connection. Now I'm at the point of giving up on BCPs all together... I'm not a candidate for a non-hormonal IUD, either. So frustrating.

As everyone else... relieved to find this site. I really thought it was all in my head. I have been really grumpy and generally sad since I stopped the pill 3 weeks ago. I was on it 10 years, and I just turned 30. My diet is impeccable, I run a few times a week, and have now taken up "Wii Fit"....and since I have been off the pill, have gained a couple of pounds. One should not be gaining weight when they eat an extremely healthy diet, and exercise. It is making me so angry!!! Otherwise, besides the bloating/fat feeling, and having mood swings that cause my husband to run......I seem ok......although I have to say.....my orgasms have gotten MUCH stronger, and I am way more sensitive overall.......

Does this sound familiar to anyone???

As all of you, I am very glad to find this forum. First of all I want to share with you the information that I have: there are four herbal remedies that I know of which are safe 1)Passion Flower 2)Valerian 3)Theanine 4)Chamomile. I also know of Kava, which the Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings about kava but hasn't banned the sale of kava in the United States. I would NOT suggest taking Kava

I was taking the pill for many many years and now, like all of you, I am on my third week of post pill chaos. I hate the way I feel and the turmoil in my life now. I am doing tons of research and I am going to see an OBGYN today. I will continue to update this website as I find more information.

You are all in my prayers.

oh man, ive been off the pill for 2 weeks after being on it for 1 year and I am feeling dizzy, lightheaded, and so tired.I never got dizzy or this lightheaded while on the pill. this is really weird. Im going back on the pill next month, i didnt hav my new package of pills in time so i decided to just take a month off. is this normal for going off the pill?

Hi all,
I too am glad I found this forum becuase I have been off my Birth control pills now for about 4 months. My fiance has noticed that I am more irritable and like the other girl said, my mood swings will make him run!! I have been feeling like a total moody @%@#%. if you know what I mean? I'm 27.
I have started to really try and use my own internal feelings as a key for how I respond back to, mostly, my poor fiance.
But, to add to the comments, I really do believe that it is the stopping of the BCP's that has made my hormones to go wacky and now my body is just trying to get back to it's natural rhythm.
;-) :-) If you think about it, we have trained our bodies with BCP's to do one thing, and one thing only for so many years. I was on BCP's for 9 years and now my own hormones are having to take over and do their own usual job that I had the BCP's doing. I am glad I decided to stop taking them and give my body a break. I have been planning on doing so but haven't until recently. :-D
So anyways, there are certain Tea's at most super markets in the natural food section that help with PMS and women's sugar balance related to menstrual cycles and all. I know i am definatly going to try that. i have already tried the St. John's Wort for anxiety but hadn't found any result after taking it for a couple of months.
And to add to the sex drive, mine has gone up!! I have also noticed that my orgasms are stronger now that I think about it. :-S
Now that I have been BC free though, this past months period was awful. The cramps were horrible and now, even though I am done menstruating, I still feel crampy. It was just one of those nasty periods. but, then again, it is all due to my body and my own hormones getting to do their own job again.
I am going to do some research and I will let you all know what I find!
Well,
take care all of you Birth control free ladies! :-P good luck to us all! And I know this emotional rollercoaster will end, it just needs time.. And patience, and a good man to rub your feet and anything else!!!hehe

Hi, its been really interesting reading everyone's comments. I have come off the pill Marvelon after being on it for 12 years, I am 28. I have been feeling ill since then and have only today clicked it may be due to me stopping the pill. I have headaches every day, no appetite, pains everywhere - stomach, back, and most scarily I have heart palpitations/racing heart. It scares me, and until reading this I thought there was something badly wrong with me. Today especially I have started feeling that irritable/weepy way like when my period is due. I feel like going back on the pill, if this is how it will make me feel. Going to the docs tomorrow anyway to get the heart thing checked out, but this has made me feel a bit better!!!
:-)

OMG - i am so happy i found this. i've been feeling many of the same symptoms posted on this site, and am relieved it wasn't just me!! i've been on the pill 15 some years, and have been off it for about 2 months. i've had serious anxiety - heart palpitations, tingling, sweating - nausea, no appetite. thought something was seriously wrong and went to ER, but luckily checked out ok. Also, dealing with skin breakouts, fatigue, mood swings, and headaches. I hope this all shakes off soon! Hope we can all feel better!